Amy (amycluck) - Sacramento, CA (64 books)

Amy gave

to:

Waking Up in the Land of Glitter by Kathy Cano-Murillo

Waking Up in the Land of Glitter: A Crafty Chica Novel
by Kathy Cano-Murillo (Goodreads Author)

read in April, 2010

My rating:

I don't get a chance to read for fun very often but I own two of Kathy's craft books and I am familiar with her writing through those and a short story I read on her blog. There aren't that many stories out there about crafty women, so I was intrigue...more

Amy gave

to:

Applique Your Way
by Kayte Terry

read in October, 2009

My rating:

I really enjoyed Kayte Terry's last book: Complete Embellishing: Techniques and Projects and I can tell you that her newest book does not disappoint! I think it's even better than her first.

First of all, the photos and drawings are lovely (as is t...moreI really enjoyed Kayte Terry's last book: Complete Embellishing: Techniques and Projects and I can tell you that her newest book does not disappoint! I think it's even better than her first.

First of all, the photos and drawings are lovely (as is the cover) and I love the hand-written font used for section titles.

The book begins with a brief intro and history of appliqué, then some quick info on tools, techniques, and inspiration. Next you'll find some how-to instructions that include some terrific tips that go beyond common sense (and common sewing knowledge). The book also includes drawings showing some basic embroidery stitches, how to embroider with beads and sequins, and how to make fabric yo-yos (no special tool required!).

The Falling Leaves Ballet Flats project is the first and is one of my favs. It's super-simple and easy but these are some seriously adorable shoes! This project is a must for dressing up a plain pair of flats. The Pretty as a Peacock Clutch is another favorite. I could see adapting this project to your favorite design motif or animal (I'm thinking owls). It's retro-inspired and sooo cute. I've just learned to crochet so the Crochet Appliqué Tee is another project I see in my future. The instructions seem do-able for a beginner that's had some practice.

The book goes on to show appliqué ideas for shirts, pants, skirts, sweaters, and more. Not all projects are traditional appliqué — many are 3D (think 3-dimensional roses and bows).

The book also features home projects such as doily coasters and appliqué pillows. There are also instructions for appliquéd table linens and those fabric birthday banners that are so popular now. The layered frames wall appliqués are also really trendy, yet offer a unique way to achieve this look.

Next, we've got appliqué cards, an adorable watermelon pin-cushion, and my favorite, the How Does Your Garden Grow? Apron. The flowers are made from fabric yo-yos. LOVE! The Felted Faux Bois Scarf is also amazing and so "in" right now. I can see making these projects as holiday gifts. The dog sweater, apple tote, and mixed tape phone cozy are also terrific gift ideas.

The instructions are easy to follow, the diagrams are both cute and easy to read, and the book comes with an envelope of patterns (embroidery and sewing), which is awesome because you don't have to try free-handing them or enlarging drawings from the book. I really loved everything about this book and can't wait to start embellsihing everything!

P.S.) Loving Kayte Terry's blog as well: www.thisisloveforever.com.(less)

Amy marked as to-read:

Country Living The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen by Serena Thompson

Country Living The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen: Live Well, Laugh Often, Cook Much
by Serena Thompson

My rating:

Amy gave

to:

Craft Challenge by Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott

Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase
by Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott

My rating:

Amy gave

to:

Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design
by Faythe Levine

My rating:

Amy gave

to:

The Doodle Formula
by Adrienne Looman

read in May, 2009

My rating:

Amy gave

to:

Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish
by Jenny Ryan

My rating:

I am loving this book - its definitely one of my favorite sewing books on the market right now. First of all, the title doesn't lie, these are some seriously cute projects, folks. Almost a lethal dose of cute. Not in a bad way. The book is beautifull...moreI am loving this book - its definitely one of my favorite sewing books on the market right now. First of all, the title doesn't lie, these are some seriously cute projects, folks. Almost a lethal dose of cute. Not in a bad way. The book is beautifully laid out - love the gingham and polka dots! Jenny's fabric choices are brilliant - I especially love the fact that she used vintage fabrics and pillowcases, with a little bit of cute Japanese fabric thrown in.

The book begins with a bio/ introduction as most craft books do, then goes into tools and techniques. I'm excited to find that I have a lot of these tools already (bias tape maker and yo-yo maker) - but I don't know how to use them so I'm excited to learn. Next there's a bit on free-motion quilting and some other "basics" like sewing a zippered pocket. Jenny promises it's not as hard as it looks and I believe her, which is half the battle, I think. If you are a more advanced seamstress, you might skip this part. If you are a more advanced seamstress, you might skip this part.

Most of the projects seem easy enough for a beginner so I'm excited to try them. I am loving the necklace tank, fabric button necklace, and reversable headband in the Pretties section. The eyeglasses cozy and appiqued tote are also a couple of my favorites, as is the merit badge wristlet (genuis!), in the Totables section. In the Nest section, I am eager to make the Happy Hostess Dishtowels. Another section for Kid's Stuff includes instructions for a Silly Snake that reminds me of a puzzle my dad made me when I was younger. It also gives you a new use for shrunken sweaters. The Square Bear is also adorable and I love the fact that Jenny incorporates embroidery and vintage buttons. One last section called Crafties includes a crochet hook cozy that makes me want to learn to crochet and a Nifty Needle Book that I really need for my embroidery needles. I love how the projects are not only cute but practical.

I read another review that accused this book of being un-hip and to that I say "un-true!" Ok, so I'm not the coolest kid on the block but I do keep up with the latest handmade fashions and as far as I can tell, cute is definitely "in." Besides, if you don't like Jenny's use of mellow fabrics, you can always substitute color combos like black and hot pink or skull prints. Plus the cover gives a good indication of whether the projects will fit your personal style. Personally, I love them.(less)

Amy gave

to:

Handmade Hellos: Fresh Greeting Card Projects from First-Rate Crafters
by Chronicle Books

My rating:

I was excited to see this book on the shelves - you don't see many hip paper-crafting books and it was a nice change from the bazillions of fiber art books that grace the shelves (not that I don't love those as well). I must fess-up, I was a little w...more

Amy gave

to:

The Naughty Secretary Club by Jennifer Perkins

The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry
by Jennifer Perkins (Goodreads Author)

My rating:

I love Jennifer Perkin's style so I knew right away that I would LOVE this book. And boy was I right.

Jennifer says it best in the book intro "If you prefer your jewelry subtle and serious, you might want to go ahead and set this book back on the sh...moreI love Jennifer Perkin's style so I knew right away that I would LOVE this book. And boy was I right.

Jennifer says it best in the book intro "If you prefer your jewelry subtle and serious, you might want to go ahead and set this book back on the shelf." This book is not for the faint-hearted!

All of the office and secretary references and facts make the book a fun read. The photos are fun and kitschy and will make your mouth water for colorful plastic trinkets a.k.a. what my mother would call "junk!"

The best thing about this book is that Jennifer shows us how to go beyond beads. There are tons of jewelry-making/ beading books out there right now, but how many of them tell you how to make jewelry from old motel keys, cupcake toppers, and telephone cords? Not only that, but she does it WITH STYLE.

As far as techniques, the book begins with some simple wire-wrapping and jump ring how-tos but then quickly jumps into resin and how to use a hand-held drill. Now that's what I'm talking about. I already own the supplies for both but have been afraid to try them out - until now!

There are some amazingly simple projects for the beginning beader. And while the supplies may seem a bit unusual, you'll have many of these things laying around your house (or office)! Kind of makes me wish I was a Naughty Secretary, hording supplies to make jewelry under my desk.

Most if not all, of the projects are instant-gratification. Resin casting is probably the most complicated technique used but even that doesn't seem too time intensive.

My favorite projects? The tie one on headband is pretty cute, made from a man's vintage necktie. You've got to love the Secretary's Delight (cast resin) bracelet - it's chunky and fun. I'm particularly interested in the Copy Machine necklace - it uses something called UTEE, which I hadn't heard of before. There's even a recipe in here for margarita cake. YUM.

This book is fun and funny and just oozes Naughty Secretary Club style, as well it should considering the title! I'm going to hit up my local thrift stores and flee market for supplies and then I'm going to get busy making!(less)

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Amy gave to: Waking Up in the Land of Glitter: A Crafty Chica Novel by Kathy Cano-Murillo (Goodreads Author) read in April, 2010	My rating:
I don't get a chance to read for fun very often but I own two of Kathy's craft books and I am familiar with her writing through those and a short story I read on her blog. There aren't that many stories out there about crafty women, so I was intrigue...more
Apr 21, 2010 05:36pm · see review
Amy gave to: Applique Your Way by Kayte Terry read in October, 2009	My rating:
I really enjoyed Kayte Terry's last book: Complete Embellishing: Techniques and Projects and I can tell you that her newest book does not disappoint! I think it's even better than her first. First of all, the photos and drawings are lovely (as is t...more
Oct 27, 2009 01:31am · see review
Amy marked as to-read: Country Living The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen: Live Well, Laugh Often, Cook Much by Serena Thompson	My rating:
Oct 27, 2009 12:44am
Amy gave to: Craft Challenge: Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase by Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott	My rating:
May 12, 2009 10:21pm
Amy gave to: Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design by Faythe Levine	My rating:
May 12, 2009 10:20pm
Amy gave to: The Doodle Formula by Adrienne Looman read in May, 2009	My rating:
May 12, 2009 10:12pm
Amy gave to: Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish by Jenny Ryan	My rating:
I am loving this book - its definitely one of my favorite sewing books on the market right now. First of all, the title doesn't lie, these are some seriously cute projects, folks. Almost a lethal dose of cute. Not in a bad way. The book is beautifull...more
Feb 11, 2009 06:23pm · see review
Amy gave to: Handmade Hellos: Fresh Greeting Card Projects from First-Rate Crafters by Chronicle Books	My rating:
I was excited to see this book on the shelves - you don't see many hip paper-crafting books and it was a nice change from the bazillions of fiber art books that grace the shelves (not that I don't love those as well). I must fess-up, I was a little w...more
Dec 18, 2008 09:35am · see review
Amy gave to: The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry by Jennifer Perkins (Goodreads Author)	My rating:
I love Jennifer Perkin's style so I knew right away that I would LOVE this book. And boy was I right. Jennifer says it best in the book intro "If you prefer your jewelry subtle and serious, you might want to go ahead and set this book back on the sh...more
Dec 10, 2008 09:05am · see review
Amy added Goodreads to her Facebook Timeline Add your books to Timeline! learn more
Dec 09, 2008 02:08pm

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